17 veterans awarded Légion d’honneur at Ambassador’s Residence

Seventeen British Second World War veterans presented with the Légion d’honneur on Armistice Day

11 November 2016

Seventeen British Second World War veterans were presented with the Légion d’honneur, France’s highest distinction, during a ceremony at the French Ambassador’s Residence in London.

The medals were presented by the French Ambassador to the UK, Sylvie Bermann and the Defence Attaché Rear Admiral Patrick Chevallereau.

Ambassador Bermann said: “This ceremony is not only to thank the brave men who fought in the name of freedom. It is also a message to every British person: that we shall not forget.”

The veterans were honoured for their role in securing France’s liberation during the Second World War, with many having taken part in the June 1944 D-Day landings.

The medal ceremony follows a number of others that have taken place around the UK since the 70th anniversary of D-Day in June 2014, when President François Hollande pledged to honour all British veterans who had served in France during the war. France has so far had the privilege of decorating more than 4,300 D-Day veterans across the country.

The full list of veterans (in order of decoration) is:

Keith Lesley Chapman, 95, from Barnet, CaptainKenneth Roland Williamson, 94, from Surrey, Staff SergeantArthur Murrell, 90, from Surrey, Senior Ordinary SeamanErnest William Oakford, 93, from Surrey, Leading SeamanWilliam Carey, 91, from Essex, Leading SeamanFrank Charles Standen, 95, from Hertfordshire, 1st class CoxswainRoy Beckett, 93, from West Yorkshire, TelegraphistCyril John Crowe, 93, from Sevenoaks, served in the Royal NavyIsrael Jacob Freedman, 95, from Surrey, Merchant Navy EngineerRobert William Gravells, 92, from London, Seaman in the Royal NavyFrederick Ernest Hart, 92, from Surrey, Signalman in the Royal NavyJames Johnston, 92, from Suffolk, Private in the Kensington RegimentEdward Thomas McDonnell, 92, from London, Gunner DriverFred Miller, 95, from Uxbridge, Drive in the Royal Army Service CorpsWilliam George Mitchell, 91, from London, Leading RateArthur Henry John Fox, from Hampshire, SignalmanGordon Rosenberg , 94, from Westcliff-on-Sea, served on H.M.S Stayner